Music or book leaf turner.



nu. 646,405.- Patented Apr. 3, |900. w. s. ALTI-:n & E. w. ANcHons.

MUSIC 0R 80.0K LEAF TURNER.I

(No Model.) (Avphcahon med Apr. 2s, 1899.)

wsj. MM jf C xiv,

Tus. Ncums vsrsns co., vucraunovrwnsumorou, n4 c,

UNITED STATEs PATENT z EErcE.

VILLIAM S. ALTER AND ELLlS lV. ANCHORS, OF TARENTUM, PENNSYLVANIA.

IVlUSlC OR BOOK L-AF TURNER.

SPECIFICATION forming part o' Letters atent No. 646,405, dated April 3,1900.

Application tiled April 28,1899. Serial No. 714,895. (No model.)

To all whom it' may concern:

Be it known that we,WILLIAM S. ALTER and ELLIS W. ANCHORS, citizens ofthe United States of America, residing at Tarentum, in the county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Music or Book Leaf Turners; and we do herebydeclare the following to be a full, clear, and eXact descriptionthereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form apart of this specification.

Our invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in music orbook leaf turners, and has for its object to construct such a device aswill be automatic in its operation, whereby a performer may turn onepage after another and obviate the necessity of ceasing the performancefor turning the pages.

Our invention finally consists in the novel combination, construction,and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter more specicallydescribed, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

ln the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a front elevation of ourimproved music-leaf turner, showing one of the leaf retaining framesturned and the other retained by catches, the said view showing thegeneral construction and arrangement of our improved device. Fig. 2 is aplan view of the same. Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of a portionof the central hinge-bar, showing the manner in which each individualframe is hinged and fitted with springs for turning or revolving thesame. Fig. 4 is an enlarged sectional elevation of the base, taken atthe releasing-keys.

To construct a music-leaf-turning device in accordance with ourinvention, we provide a base-piece 1, having an inclined under surfaceto conform with the angle of the shelf of a piano or organ. This base isconnected to a'frame 2 in the form of an oblong and is divided into twosections, the one joined to the other by suitable hinges 3, which admitof the said sections being folded together to occupy a small space.Centrally arranged in suitable bearings 8 of this frame 1 2 is asupportingshaft 7, to which each individual leaf-holder is looselyhinged or connected by means of angular projecting portions 26, arrangedat the top and bottom of the said holders. Each of these holders 6 6'6"consists of a thin metallic frame provided at the base with a groove 9,in which the music-leaf is held, and at one side and top with adjustablegrooved pieces 11, pivoted or loosely connected by short links 12 in amanner that the said pieces 11 may be moved in the position shown at theright of Fig. 1 or folded close to the frame, as shown at the oppositeside of said frame. Connecting the base of each of the holders 6 6' 6 isone end of aspring 10, coiled spirally about the supporting-shaft 7 andthe other ends of the said springs attached to the bar in a manner thatwill place a tension upon the springs to throw the holders from right toleft. These holders 6 6' 6l are held the one over the other at the rightof the frame 1 2 by verticallyarranged bars 13 engaging with smalldepending pieces 14., attached to the base of each holder. These bars orlocks are connected to horizontally-arranged levers 17, pivoted withinthe base 1, and connected to the said bars by means of pins 18,operating in slots 13. Attached to the outwardlyprojecting ends of thelevers 15 are fingerkeys 16, which when pressed downward will carry thebars 13 in the same direction, thereby releasing their hold upon thecatches 14. The lever 15 and bar 13 are brought back to their normalposition by a spring 19, arranged beneath.

In operation the sheets of music are arranged in the holders 6 6 6 byentering their edges into the grooves 9 at the base and into the groovesof each of the adjustable'pieces 11 and at the top and side and all theholders turned to the right and held secure in that position by thelocks 13.

To turn the music, it is only necessary to press the properreleasing-key 16, and the spring 10, being under tension, will revolvethe first holder 6 from right to left.

By the use of the adjustable side and top pieces 12 music-sheets of anyordinary size may be held in the holders, as is obvious.

Various slight modifications may be made in the construction and detailsof our invention without departing` from the spirit of the sanie.

Having thus described our invention, We clairnl. In a music-leaf turner,the combination of a base, a frame connected thereto and eonsisting oftwo sections hinged togethe1,ajour naled supporting-shaft, a series 0i'springe@- tuated leaf-turners consisting' of an oblong' iraxne connectedto said shaft, adjusting means for the music-leaves consisting of agrooved bar pivotally Connected to a pair of links which are pivotallyconnected to the turners, a series of spring-actuated vertical bars forretaining` the said turners in the locked position, and means foroperating` the said bars, substantially as described.

2. In a music-leaf turner, the combination with a base having anupwardly-extending frame suitably connected thereto, of asupporting-shaft journaled within the frame, :L series of coiledtension-springs mounted on said shaft, a leaf-turner connected to eachof said springs,an adjusting means for the leaves consisting of agrooved bar pivotally connected to a pair 01:' links which are pivotallyoonneoted to eaeh of the leaf-tnrners, a series of spring-actuatedVertical bars for retaining the said turners in aloeked position, and aseries of levers pivotally secured in the said base for operating thesaid bars, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof we have hereunto at'- ixed our signatures in thepresence of two subscribing Witnesses.

VILLIAM S. ALTER. ELLIS lV. ANCHORS.

